Ep 1. The Road to Washington, D.C.

In the opening episode of I, Sniper, titled "The Road to Washington, D.C.," viewers are taken on a journey through the mind of the notorious snipers who caused chaos in the D.C. area in 2002. The episode sets the tone for the rest of the series by introducing the audience to the unique and disturbing motives behind the snipers' actions.

The episode starts with a dynamic reenactment of the snipers' initial attacks, capturing just how indiscriminate and brutal their shootings were. Shots ring out on a busy street, in a parking lot, and at a gas station while terrified citizens scramble for cover. The episode also reveals the confusion and fear caused by the randomness of the attacks, with some believing the incidents to be isolated gang violence while others suspect terrorism.

However, the episode soon moves to the snipers themselves, digging into their minds to try to understand their motives. Using interviews with experts on human behavior, the episode delves into the killers' childhoods and personal histories to identify possible psychological triggers. The show also provides details about how the snipers developed their tactics, including their use of a modified trunk as a sniper’s nest.

As the episode continues, it switches between investigations into the snipers' past and the chaos of their present-day attacks. The tension gradually mounts as the number of casualties increases, and the show uses news footage to recreate the intense atmosphere in the D.C. area at the time. Police and FBI investigations are underway, and the pressure amps up as officials struggle to protect their citizens and track down the perpetrators.

As the episode comes to a close, viewers are left without a resolution to the case, as the snipers remain at large and continue to cause chaos. However, the show succeeds in ushering viewers to understand the motives behind the snipers' actions, painting a rich portrait of their psychologies without glorifying their heinous crimes. Overall, the first episode of I, Sniper is a gripping and unsettling exploration of a tragic event in recent American history.